Chillicothe City Council members on Monday evening approved plans to change the leadership structure within the Chillicothe Fire Department, as proposed by Fire Chief Darrell Wright.

The department had three assistant fire chiefs under the fire chief, until the recent passing of Joe Darr. Now there are two assistant fire chiefs. Wright plans to change this to one assistant and two captains, which the Council approved.

Wright said he compared the organizational structure of nearby fire departments of similar sizes, and that many of them have adopted a similar organizational structure. The change will take place over a period of several months, and may take several years to go into effect.

Leslie Patek, director of the Forrest O. Triplett Animal Shelter, appeared before the council to discuss the shelter's need of a new heating and air-conditioning system. After years of animal hair and ammonia in the air, the unit in the building is deteriorating, and Patek does not think it will last until the spring, when the shelter receives its budget from the city.

City Administrator Ike Holland said that because he did not plan for this, the money is not currently in the city's budget. If the council votes to replace the unit, the money will have to be taken out of an area of the city budget that is not currently needed.

Patek brought several estimates for the work, but no formal bids were made. It was decided that formal bids will be made on the project in the next two weeks, and the bids will be discussed at the next City Council meeting Oct. 28.

Holland also asked that four more items belonging to the city be added to the surplus list. Two 1998 Jeeps, a 1998 Kawasaki Mule and a 1997 Ford F-150 will also be sold. All surplus vehicles belonging to the city are currently on display at the Leeper lot, located on the northwest corner of Washington and Webster streets. They will be sold to the highest bidder. Bids may be placed on an item by stopping by City Hall or calling 660-646-2424.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.